Thinktank warns: Duterte has final say on ABS-CBN franchise holdover

An infrastructure-oriented thinktank warned that President Rodrigo Duterte has the final say on whether ABS-CBN will be allowed to operate after the lapse of its franchise on March 30, despite assurances from senior congressmen and senators that the network can continue its broadcast beyond the term of its franchise.

“While the strong views of congressmen and senators on ABS-CBN’s franchise holdover are very comforting to the network, its employees and advocates of press freedom, we should be reminded that the President can still order the uniformed personnel and other agencies to literally and figuratively shutdown the network after March 30. With no favorable presidential pronouncement in sight, the public should brace for this unfortunate prospect. Wide public support remains key to stop an escalation from happening.”

This was the statement of Terry Ridon, Infrawatch PH convenor and former House legislative franchise committee member.

Convince the President to allow holdover

Ridon said the legislators’ assurances are compelling but they should also convince the President to take a similar position.

“Without convincing the President, the legislators’ assurances of a franchise holdover carry no weight. Will we see them at the gates of ABS-CBN when the President’s proverbial tanks come crashing the network? Probably not.”

Ridon said the swelling of public support for the network should convince the highest levels of government to reconsider.

“The Senate has a majority supporting the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, with no less than Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri announcing it. The Palace should take notice that the Senate is breaking rank from the President and Congress.”

Onus is on Congress, no one else

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Ridon, a lawyer, said that ultimate accountability at this point rests on Congress and no one else, not even the President.

“The onus is on no one else except Congress. Citing the lack of time or justifying the delay due to other important concerns is an absolute cop-out. As in all legislative measures, pag gusto maraming paraan. Pag talagang ayaw, maraming dahilan. If they feel that the franchise should be rejected, let the sword fall where it should.

17th Congress approved six broadcast franchise renewals in 2019

Ridon said if Congress really wanted to hear and decide the ABS-CBN’s franchise application, nothing in the world could have prevented it.

“In fact, Congress approved six broadcast franchise renewal in 2019: Crusaders Broadcasting System, Inc. (HB No. 4584, approved by the House on 24 Sep 2019), First United Broacasting Corporation (HB No. 4463, approved by the House on 13 Nov 2019), Golden Broadcast Professional, Inc. (HB No. 4581, approved by the House on 24 Sep 2019), Gold Label Broadcasting System, Inc. (HB No. 4582, approved by the House on 24 Sep 2019), Broadcast Enterprises and Affiliated Media, Inc. (HB No. 4583, approved by the House on 25 September 2019) and Bicol Broadcasting Systems, Inc. (HN No. 5490, approved by the House on 9 Dev 2019).”

Ridon said four of these broadcast franchises are national in scope, similar to the franchise granted to ABS-CBN.

“Given these facts, it is very hard to justify any further delay in deliberating the ABS-CBN franchise. More important, the Palace has already thrown Congress under the bus when it continues to disavow any responsibility for the current franchise mess.”